NBCUniversal CEO Resigns after Inappropriate Conduct with Female Co-Worker

[SplashJacket]

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is out after admitting inappropriate relationship

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell left immediately after admitting an inappropriate relationship with a woman at the company.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Sorcerer Mickey]

Did both participants consent to the "inappropriate" relationship? I can't imagine you have a relationship without two willing parties.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

I feel like Mike Cavanagh or Shell's true successor will end up driving NBCU and its reputation down. Universal Pictures is having a great year so far with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Epic Universe is only two years away from completion.

I wonder, though, how Shell's departure will affect the fate of Hulu?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I feel like Mike Cavanagh or Shell's true successor will end up driving NBCU and its reputation down. Universal Pictures is having a great year so far with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Epic Universe is only two years away from completion.

I wonder, though, how Shell's departure will affect the fate of Hulu?

Brian Roberts, Comcast's CEO would be the decision maker on the Hulu deal.

 

[Slpy3270]

Some more info on Shell's history with women. Hint: not pleasant.

The Whispers Behind NBCUniversal’s Jeff Shell Firing

As the top executive exits over inappropriate conduct, his departure raises questions about his reign: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

www.hollywoodreporter.com

There's also this:

In recent months, there have been signs that Shell was no longer in favor with Comcast leadership. After gaining oversight of the television division, Shell imposed an unpopular reorganization, and he has also been waging an uphill struggle to launch and grow the Peacock streaming service. He was perceived as “a loose cannon who had no filter,” says one longtime NBCU executive. (Shell had the nickname “shooter” earlier in his career because of a habit of shooting from the hip.) Volatile former MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann has been repeatedly calling Shell a liar online in recent days.

An industry source says when Comcast’s Brian Roberts engaged in merger talks with Paramount Global chairwoman Shari Redstone in 2021, he offered to put Paramount president and CEO Bob Bakish in charge of the combined companies (though Roberts wanted ultimate control). In 2022, Roberts explored a merger of NBCU with the gaming company Electronic Arts that would have put EA CEO Andrew Wilson in charge.

Increasingly anxious, an industry source says, Shell started spending more time in New York in an attempt to shore up his relationship with Roberts.

In other words, Shell likely would've been Chapek'd if this relationship didn't come to light.

Variety also has their own exposé on the matter.

Shell Shocked: How a Sex Scandal, Big Egos and Putin Led to Jeff Shell’s Sudden, No Payout Exit From NBCU

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell was fired after a company investigation into his relationship with CNBC correspondent Hadley Gamble.

variety.com

Apparently Vladimir Putin may have had a hand in Shell's dismissal. Heh.

 

[Slpy3270]

Cavanaugh says he'll be overseeing NBCUni "for a while".

No rush to replace Shell, it seems. Guess Comcast really did plan to kick him out.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Brian Roberts, Comcast's CEO would be the decision maker on the Hulu deal.

How do you think Roberts feels about Hulu now, with Shell out and Cavanagh in? Is he still interested in the streamer?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

How do you think Roberts feels about Hulu now, with Shell out and Cavanagh in? Is he still interested in the streamer?

I have no idea. I am not really keeping up with the streaming wars.

 

[Slpy3270]

Per NYTimes, Roberts fired Shell last Friday during a meeting between the two at a law office in Philadelphia.